The 23-year-old Netherlands international sustained the injury during Sunday’s heavy 4-1 Premier League defeat away at Newcastle United.
Speaking to the press, Amorim stated definitively, “Joshua is out for the season. Let’s prepare him for the next one.”
Zirkzee made the move to Old Trafford from Serie A side Bologna last July and endured a somewhat slow start to his Manchester United career. However, the young forward had begun to find his form significantly in 2025, showcasing his potential. He came off the bench in the first leg of their Europa League quarterfinal clash against Lyon last week and managed to score a crucial equalizing goal in the 2-2 draw.
Amorim expressed his disappointment at the timing of the injury, saying, “It’s tough, especially in this moment. I think he’s improving in all aspects of the game, so it’s hard for any player to stop, but this is football and he has to be ready now to recover.”
Zirkzee now joins defender Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines for the rest of the current campaign. There is a glimmer of hope for Amad Diallo, who could potentially return from ankle ligament damage sustained back in February, though no definitive timeline has been set.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s crucial Europa League return leg against Lyon, Amorim also provided updates on other injured players. He confirmed that Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, and Toby Collyer remain unavailable for selection. Additionally, veteran defender Jonny Evans, despite returning to training with the squad on the eve of the game, will also not be risked for the Lyon fixture. This growing injury list presents a significant challenge for Amorim as Manchester United aim to progress in the Europa League.